First Serial Production An-148 Completed at Voronezh Aircraft Building Company

Released on Friday, June 27, 2008

On June 27, 2008 at Voronezh Aircraft Building Company the aggregate assembly of the first serial AN-148 Ukrainian-Russian regional passenger aircraft of a new generation was completed. The aircraft has been assembled from the components produced at Voronezh Aircraft Building Company and Aviant Kiev aviation plant. That event allowed to demonstrate AN-148 to the representatives of more than 20 Russian alirlines, the potential operators of the airliner. The action took place within the First Investment Voronezh Forum. "The launch of serial production of AN-148 is the biggest step in development of the domestic aviation building, - stated Vladimir Kulakov, governor of Voronezh district. � The dynamic development of Russia is impossible without modern aviation", - added he.

The leaders of the enterprises promoting AN-148 to Russian and international markets took part in the aircraft presentation. Among them were: A.I. Fedorov, President of United Aircraft Corporation (Russia), M.N. Shushpanov, Director General of Voronezh Aircraft Building Company (Russia), D.S. Kiva, General Designer of ANTONOV ASTC (Ukraine), A.D.Donets, Director General of Kiev Aviation Plant (Ukraine), V.A.Boguslaev, President of Motor Sich JSC (Ukraine), A.I. Rubtsov, Director General of Ilushin Finance Co. leasing company (Russia).

Aviation builders and aviation carriers surveyed the first serial AN-148 and discussed a number of urgent questions of its production, entrance into operation and after sale support. D.S.Kiva, while saying about perspectives of the further development of the project emphasized that "AN-148 is ideal for operation under conditions of Russia. This aircraft is the best adapted for the work under severe and various climatic conditions of Russia as well as on the airfields which are not of the best quality. It is mainly equipped with the Russian-made equipment providing the aircraft technical operation essentially easier and cheaper. In order to give the airlines the possibility to operate AN-148 most effectively, we certified the aircraft in 3 versions differing with flight range. Now, when so many airplanes have been ordered, all participants of the programme have to perform their obligations and to provide on-time delivery of the AN-148 to the customers".

A.I.Fedorov, characterising the perspectives of the aircraft in Russia, said: "The programme of AN-148 is one of the most advanced for the UAC. Our commercial plan includes production of 100 such airplanes till 2012. Completion of the aggregate essambly of the first serial AN-148 in Voronezh is the very important for us as we must pass it to a customer this year. In general, the AN-148 programme is the example of development the relations between Russia and Ukraine".